Data News Weekly

Page 6
February 10 - February 16, 2024
Newsmaker
www.ladatanews.com
Dan Packer, Former CEO of Entergy
New Orleans, Passes Away
Data News Staff Edited
Report
The family of Dan Packer advised
recently that the former Entergy
New Orleans CEO has died.
The family released a
statement, saying:
“It is with a saddened heart that
we announce that the patriarch of
our family made his transition to be
with the Lord at 8:02 a.m. peacefully
at home. He was surrounded by his
wife, children and grandchildren.
Dan Packer was known for his role
as President and CEO of Entergy
New Orleans during and around
the Hurricane Katrina era. Funeral
arrangements are pending.”
Entergy issued the
following statement
regarding Packer’s death:
“In remembrance, we celebrate
the remarkable life of Dan Packer.
Business leader Dan Packer recently passed
away. His life was one filled with impact and
purpose. He leaves behind a great legacy,
touching many lives and influencing the next
generation of business leaders.
Dan chartered his career
path with a steadfast
commitment to success
since joining the company
in 1982. He became
President of Entergy
New Orleans in 1996
and assumed the duties
of CEO in 1998 --- going
on to lead the company
during a uniquely challenging
era that included
response to Hurricane
Katrina.
“Packer inspired his
colleagues and community
with his exceptional
leadership, and served as
a trailblazer who paved the
way for future leaders.
Present National
Urban League
President
and Former
Mayor of New
Orleans Marc Morial
released a statement
on Packer’s passing:
It is with deep sorrow and
a heavy heart that I extend
my condolences to the family,
friends, and colleagues of Dan
Packer. His passing leaves a void
that is felt profoundly by all who
knew him.
As the first African American to
serve as President and CEO of the
New Orleans Public Service Incorporated
(NOPSI) now known as
Entergy New Orleans, Dan was a
highly respected leader in the utilities
industry.
I cherish the fact that Dan was
known for his dedication, kindness,
and unwavering commitment
to New Orleans. His contributions
to the local business
community, public safety and police
reform during my administration
were invaluable, and his impact
will be remembered fondly.
Statement From
Terry Jones: Publisher
of Data News Weekly
During this difficult time, our
thoughts and prayers are with all those
mourning the loss of such an exceptional
person. May the memories of
Dan’s warmth and accomplishments
provide comfort to those who grieve.
I Terry Jones and the entire staff
of Data News Weekly sends their condolences
to the family of Dan Packer.
Dan was committed to the New Orleans
community especially during
his time as CEO of Entergy New
Orleans. We worked many projects
together such as the Data Dolls Community
Project for uplifting young
Black Females; The Trailblazer
Awards, recognizing unsung heroes
in the community, and The Scoop
Jones Scholarship Fund.
Anytime Data reached out to the
community Dan was there. We all will
miss him as a Historic Community
Leader, and I will miss him as a friend.
Congressman Carter and Higgins
Introduce Bipartisan TWICE Act
Data News Staff Edited
Report
Last week Congressman Troy
A. Carter, Sr. (D-L.A.) and Congressman
Clay Higgins (R-L.A.)
introduced the bipartisan TWIC
Efficiency (TWICE) Act. This legislation
will improve access to the
Transportation Worker Identification
Credential (TWIC) Program
by supporting those currently in
Federal, State, or local prisons by
helping them apply in advance or
get ready to apply for TWIC Cards
and assisting individuals who are
appealing or requesting exceptions
if they are initially deemed ineligible
for the program.
“I am passionate about making
sure our Criminal Justice System
is fair and that returning citizens
have every possible opportunity
for success when they come
home,” said Rep. Carter. “So many
jobs in the United States require
a TWIC Card just to work behind
Louisiana Congressman Troy
Carter
a secure facility’s gate. Louisiana’s
industry is begging for this workforce.
This bill will help make reentry
more successful and ensure
that workforce training can improve
people’s lives.”
The TWICE Act would require
the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) to: (BOLD)
Develop guidelines to improve
returning citizens access to the
TWIC Program.
Develop guidelines to assist individuals
in custody to pre-apply
for TWIC Cards and to assist those
requesting an appeal or waiver after
issuance of a “Preliminary Determination
of Ineligibility.”
Provide a briefing to Congress
within a year on improvements to
access the TWIC Program.
“I’ve often observed, in the
course of my life, that a man’s character
shouldn’t be measured by
how he falls, it should be measured
by how he stands back up. Americans
are loving and compassionate,
we believe in second chances, and
this bill will help men that want to
help themselves,” said Rep. Higgins.
“I’m thankful to my Louisiana
Brother Congressman Troy Carter
for his leadership on TWICE, and
I’m prayerful that my colleagues
in the House and Senate will agree
that every child of God deserves a
chance to work, to earn an honest
living.”
“The TWICE Act not only increases
economic mobility for
citizens, it also improves the movement
of goods across the country,”
said Michael Hecht, President and
CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc.
“More Louisianians will now be
able to play meaningful roles in fueling
and feeding the world due to
the state’s established leadership
in energy, advanced manufacturing,
trade, and logistics. These efficiencies
equally benefit American
workers and employers by increasing
access for a qualified, yet
underutilized talent pool to good
jobs within Greater New Orleans,
and at over 3,000 facilities across
the nation. We thank Congressmen
Carter and Higgins, as well
as the TSA for their collaborative
work to improve administration of
this critical credential.”